Investigation and Evaluation on Heavy Metal Copper and Cadmium Contaminations of Vegetables Grown in Huanggang City of China

Abstract

No published data are available on heavy metals concentrations and contaminations of vegetables in Huanggang City, Hubei Province, China. This study focused on characteristics and evaluation on heavy metal (Copper and Cadmium) concentrations and contaminations in vegetables grown in the suburbs of Huanggang. Several important vegetable bases in the suburbs of the city were employed as study areas and 150 representative vegetable samples, including leaf vegetables, melon-fruit vegetables, root-stem vegetables, bean vegetables and melon-fruit vegetables, were collected to determine the contents of heavy metal Copper (Cu) and Cadmium (Cd) using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (Varian, AA240FS, USA). The status of Cu and Cd concentrations and contaminations were analyzed and evaluated according to Chinese Food and Health National Standard. The results indicated that nearly all vegetable in Huanggang City were highly contaminated by Cd. And Cu contamination occurred in leafy vegetables and some melon-fruit vegetables and bean vegetables were not found contaminated by Cu. The contamination degree of Cd was much higher than that of Cu. Vegetable Cd contamination has posed a threat to the people in the city and will hinder the sustainable development of the local vegetable industry. It is strongly recommended that the local government of Huanggang City should pay much more attention to the vegetable Cd contamination in the city. Why heavy metal Cd polluted seriously and how to prevent it in the city need to be further studied.